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MSOC2014_Creighton_Alvarez
Mark Kuhlmann
0
Western Ill. WIU (1-2-0)
1
Winner Creighton CU (3-0-0)
Western Ill. WIU
(1-2-0)
0
Final
1
Creighton CU
(3-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Western Ill. WIU 0 0 0
Creighton CU 0 1 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | WIU Athletic Communications

Leathernecks Battle No. 8 Creighton to 1-0 Loss

WIU Men's soccer fell to nationally ranked Creighton in Omaha on Friday (Sept. 5)



OMAHA, Neb. - The Western Illinois men's soccer team (1-2) fell to No. 8 Creighton (3-0) in Omaha on Friday (Sept. 5) by a score of 1-0 despite senior goalkeeper Yves Dietrich's eight saves on 21 Creighton shots. The loss is Western's first in program history to the perennial NCAA tournament qualifier.

"We played well the first half against a very good passing team," said Leatherneck head coach Dr. Eric Johnson. "Their movement and ability to connect eventually wore us down, but we had a great effort from our players. I hope we can continue to improve and develop as the season progresses.

The Leatherneck's opened the game with a Jacob Bevan shot in the 5th minute that was blocked by a Creighton defender. The Bluejays then fired off eight unanswered attempts. However, the Purple and Gold back line stood strong as Dietrich made three first-half saves to keep the score knotted at zero after 45 minutes played. 

Creighton struck early in the second half with Brendan Ike-Hines knocking home a rebound from his own header attempt in the 50th minute. The Bluejays kept the pressure on with 13 second half shots. Despite Dietrich holding Creighton scoreless with seven saves in the final 40 minutes, the Ike-Hines goal would prove to be the gamewinner as  a stout Creighton defense limited the Leathernecks to just one second half shot. 

The Bluejays lived up to their No. 8 national ranking as they outshot Western 21-3 with 11 attempts going on goal. Despite the Creighton onslaught, the Leatherneck defensive line, led by senior Charlie Bales, grabbed the spotlight as they notched two team saves in addition to Dietrich's eight on the game. Bales also provided Western's lone shot on goal in the 61st minute bringing his career total to 117, which ties 2013 graduate Husref Jupic for seventh all-time at Western.

Dietrich's eight saves also moved him into sole possession of seventh place all-time for saves in program history. 

Western heads home for their regular season home opener against Green Bay on Sunday (Sept. 7) at noon at John MacKenzie Alumni Field. A preview for Sunday's match can be found HERE.

 
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